H.—l9a.

4

securing as many recruits as they require. The native-born New-Zealander of both races takes kindly to a seafaring life, and arrangements should certainly be made for a proportion of the Native race to be trained as seamen. Opportunity will be given to New-Zealanders now serving in the Royal Navy to form part of the crew of the seagoing training-ship lent by the Admiralty to New Zealand. The following information regarding the " Philomel" will be of interest : Length, 265 ft.; beam, 41 ft. ; maximum draught, 18J ft. ; Guns : Eight 47 in., eight 3 pr., four Nordenfeldts, one 7 pr. field. , Displacement, 2,575 tons. Complement, 219. Designed horse-power, 4,000 = 16 - 5 knots. Built in 1890. The Admiralty has agreed to continue the present arrangement by which two naval cadetships for the Osborne and Dartmouth course will be annually at the disposal of New Zealand on the nomination of His Excellency the Governor under the same regulations hitherto in force. The Admiralty will also be glad to consider applications on behalf of New Zealand for " special entry " under regulations governing this mode of entry. The ordinary channel of entry and training for naval cadets will be through the Royal Australian Naval College, subject to the New Zealand Government making the necessary arrangements with the Commonwealth. The Admiralty has intimated that as at present advised this training will be regarded as equivalent to the training at Osborne and Dartmouth. Until the future" requirements for officers can be more accurately estimated, it is suggested that the maximum number of cadets entered yearly should be eight— i.e., two at Osborne or Dartmouth and six at the Australian College. The " special entry cadets " would be in addition to these. For the men there will be two methods of entry to the New Zealand Naval Force: (1) As boys, between the ages of fourteen and a-half and sixteen to serve up to the age of eighteen and for seven years afterwards ; (2) as youths and men between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five to serve for seven years. In each case the engagement will include liability to serve in any ships of the Royal Navy. The method of training the lads is not yet decided on, it being thought best to await the advice of the officer to be appointed to command the training-ship and advise New Zealand. The training of the youths and men is to be in the New Zealand seagoing training-ship, and in such other ships of the Royal Navy as may be stationed in New Zealand waters and detailed for that purpose. After completing their training, men belonging to the New Zealand Naval Force will be available for serving in any ships that may in future be maintained by the New Zealand Government or in the ships of the Royal Navy. Facilities will be provided for men belonging to the New Zealand Naval Force to transfer to the Royal Navy at any stage during or at the conclusion of their service. Legislation will be introduced to enable the New Zealand Government to establish a Naval Force of officers and men for service either in any ships that may in the future be maintained by the New Zealand Government or in the ships of the Royal Navy, and for the application of the Naval Discipline Acts and the Admiralty Instructions to this Force, and, further, to reconstitute the New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve. It is proposed that the officer in command of the seagoing training-cruiser lent to the New Zealand Government shall be senior officer of the New Zealand Naval Force and Adviser of the New Zealand Government (through the Minister who may be placed in charge of naval defence) on all matters affecting the organization of the New Zealand Naval Force. A career for officers and men belonging to the New Zealand Naval Force will be available in ships that may in the future be maintained by the New Zealand Government, or in the ships of the Royal Navy ; the manning of ships in New Zealand waters will be regarded as the primary object. The New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve will be reconstituted so as to consist in future of men who have served in the New Zealand Naval Force, and who volunteer on discharge to join the Reserve, and of men who have served in the Royal Navy, many of whom now live in New Zealand.

Training of officers.

Training of men.

Legislation

Naval Adviser to the Government.

Career for officers and men.

New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve.